That means come January 2005, Edwards won’t represent, for the first time in 14 years, Bell County, including Fort Hood and Killeen, which are now in a new 31st Congressional District that is anchored by Williamson County.
U.S. Rep. John R. Carter, R-Round Rock, and retired Army Lt. Col. Wes Riddle of Belton said they would file their candidacy next week for the Republican primary for the new District 31 seat.
Edwards’ decision comes a few days after a three-judge federal panel approved the GOP-backed redistricting map, which split his old 11th Congressional District, which included Bell and McLennan counties.
Fourteen years ago in the same Killeen store building in which he held Thursday’s press conference, Edwards said he announced his congressional candidacy, making a commitment to “fight hard for Fort Hood.”
